Karen Muir facts for kids
Karen Muir in 1967
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 16 September 1952 Kimberley, Cape Province, Union of South Africa |
| Died | 1 April 2013 (aged 60) Mossel Bay, Western Cape, South Africa |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Swimming |
| Strokes | Backstroke |
Karen Muir was an amazing South African swimmer. She was born in Kimberley on September 16, 1952, and grew up there. She went to Diamantveld High School. Karen passed away on April 1, 2013.
Contents
A Young Champion Swimmer
Karen Muir made history when she was just twelve years old. On August 10, 1965, she became the youngest person ever to break a world record in any sport! This happened when she swam the 110 yards backstroke race. She finished in 1 minute and 8.7 seconds. This incredible achievement took place at a junior swimming competition in Blackpool, England.
Setting World Records
After her first big win, Karen kept breaking records. Over the next five years, she set fifteen world records in backstroke swimming. These records were for different distances, like 100 metres, 200 metres, 110 yards, and 220 yards. She was truly one of the best backstroke swimmers in the world!
Karen also won many other races. She won 22 South African Championships. She also won three US National Championships.
Missing the Olympics
Sadly, Karen Muir never got to compete in the Olympic Games. This was because South Africa was not allowed to take part in many international sports events during that time. This was due to a sporting boycott of South Africa that affected many South African athletes.
Life After Swimming
After she stopped competing, Karen Muir went to university. She studied at the University of the Orange Free State and became a doctor. She worked as a doctor in Africa for a while. Later, she moved to Canada and worked as a family doctor there.
Remembering Karen Muir
Karen Muir passed away on April 1, 2013, at the age of 60, after an illness.
To honour her, the Olympic-sized swimming pool in her hometown of Kimberley was named the Karen Muir Swimming Pool. People in Kimberley used to call her the "Tepid Torpedo" because she was such a fast swimmer! In 2009, when Karen visited Kimberley, she gave her special Springbok blazer to her old school, Diamantveld High School.
See also
- List of members of the International Swimming Hall of Fame
- World record progression 100 metres backstroke
- World record progression 200 metres backstroke
